April 2024

Greetings from Kevin Lindsay, NCAH Board Chair

Happy Earth Month from Nanaimo Climate Action Hub! Spring is definitely in the air here in Nanaimo. No doubt, like many of you, I've been enjoying the blossoms and sunny weather and am excited to get out there in my garden.

I've just come back from Climate Reality Project Leader training and my brain and heart are full. While I was there the overwhelming emotion I felt was pride – pride for all the great work we are doing for the planet here in Nanaimo, our home.

One of my takeaways about the climate crisis was something that was said by Rosina Bierbaum, PhD, Professor of Public Health, Professor of Climate, Space Science and Engineering at the University of Michigan: "it's real, it's us (caused by humans), it's bad, and scientists agree there's hope". Ten (vital) words.

Last month was the tenth month in a row to be the hottest on record. Indeed, this is real and very bad. But there are very real climate solutions that should give all of us hope too. Our dedication to solutions-focused action here in Nanaimo gives me hope. I agree with Joanna Macy and others who tell us that never has there been a time when humans have been called to do such important work – and what a privilege it is and what a source of joy it can be.

NCAH is excited to bring you more opportunities to engage with each other in this work. Please read on to learn more!

In gratitude,

Kevin

Starting Next Month: NEW Monthly Climate Solutions Café

NCAH is excited to announce a new monthly event designed to provide community members with an opportunity to discuss climate solutions. Starting in May, the Climate Solutions Café will offer a great way to gather to discuss creative—and sometimes surprising—climate actions and solutions.

Climate Solutions Cafés will take place monthly on Saturday mornings and will feature expert speakers on climate solutions topics, as well as provide an opportunity for you to be in conversation with members of your community.

Our first café is entitled How to Talk About Climate Change (And Still Keep Your Friends): Understanding the Basics of Climate Communication that Builds Community & Action. Ever get caught in a family dinner or conversation with someone about climate that didn't go so well? Talking about climate change in a way that connects us and motivates action takes practice. We've been there too and we're here to help by sharing the latest communications practices and motivating examples of what is proven to work. By the end of the session you will feel more connected to Nanaimo's climate action community and be able to talk about climate change in a way that resonates with anyone.

Facilitator/presenter: David Quigg is Lead Organizer at Sierra Club B.C. and everyday he connects with people across the province on how to tell their climate stories in a way that moves the dial for action and resilience. David lives in Nanaimo with his family.

Climate Solutions Café Details:

Location: Vancouver Island Regional Library, Nanaimo Harbourfront, 90 Commercial Street, Nanaimo, B.C

Day & Time: Saturday, May 18th, 10:30 - 12:00

Be sure to RSVP at this link as space is limited. And yes, coffee/tea and light breakfast will be provided! Also, mark your calendar for our June 15th and July 13th cafés – same time and location, topics TBA.

Celebrate Earth Day in Nanaimo, April 20th!

Nanaimo's annual Earth Day event, hosted by the Regional District of Nanaimo, is just a few days away. The event will feature activities and information, including:

Artisans
Stewardship Groups and Volunteers
Native Plant Talk and Walk
Shared Water and Water Protection Programs
Free presentations throughout the day

This event is family-friendly and free to attend!

Don't Axe the Tax! Sign Petition by April 21st

Hundreds of Canadian economists concur that carbon pricing is the lowest cost way to reduce green house gas (GHG) emissions because it gives each person and business the flexibility to choose the best way to reduce their carbon footprint (see An Open Letter from Economists on Canadian Carbon Pricing).

On April 1st, planned increases to the Federal Carbon Tax went into effect. That same day Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre made a stop in Nanaimo as part of his cross-county Axe the Tax tour. Several NCAH members and community members who care deeply about the future of the planet showed up to protest and to talk Carbon Tax facts, not fiction, with fellow Nanaimo citizens.

Right now, as citizens we have the opportunity to show our support by calling upon the House of Commons renew their commitment to current Federal Carbon Tax legislation for the good of all Canadians. Head on over to the House of Commons website now to sign the petition. It takes just a minute, but it's your chance to have your voice heard!

Our Work Does Not Go Unnoticed: The Power of Organizing

We've talked a lot about the Zero Carbon Step Code (ZCSC) in this newsletter. Just as a refresher, Nanaimo City Council voted to adopt ZCSC in advance of the provincial mandate; as a result it will go into effect here on July 1st of this year.

This short blurb is not intended to revisit ZCSC in detail, but instead remind you all of the power of organizing. In a recent article in The Tyee, Nanaimo City Councillor Ben Geselbracht commented that “it wouldn’t have gone through if it wasn’t for the organizing that’s been done at the grassroots level". He's referring to YOU. Whether through letter-writing or showing up to council meetings to show your support, our collective work is a powerful example of how community organizing and action can really work.

Kudos to us!

Extinction Rebellion Movie Night: Salmon Secrets, May 7th

Extinction Rebellion Nanaimo presents Salmon Secrets, on May 7th at 5:30 at Vancouver Island Regional Library Nanaimo Harbourfront.

In an excellent review of this documentary in The Discourse, French filmmaker Jérémy Mathieu says “You kind of cry twice when you come to Canada, you cry the first time because it’s beautiful — there is way much more wildlife than you can find in Europe. But you cry the second time when you see how the resource extraction industries are powerful, and the damage they’re doing to the environment.”

Mark Your Calendar: Head Down to Cowichan May 25th

Expo 2024 will showcase the latest environmental technologies, transportation options, and emerging solutions helping to prevent climate change. Exhibitions are interactive, educational & fun for all ages. This event is FREE to attendees and exhibitors.

May 25th, 2024

The Hub at Cowichan Station

2375 Koksilah Road, Duncan, BC

Come and explore the inspiring work being done locally to protect our planet!

More details can be found here.

350.org Canada Heat Pump Organizing Fellowship — Apply by April 21st

This summer, the 350 Canada team is launching Heat Pumps for All in BC, Alberta and Ontario, a campaign demanding a universal heat pump program and a new publicly-owned entity to produce, distribute, and install them in homes across the country. They have designed resources, trainings, and infrastructure so that anyone can run the Heat Pumps For All campaign in their own riding. 4-month summer fellowships are available in priority geographies by hiring organizers for. Apply here.

Looking for an easy way to support Nanaimo Climate Action Hub?

We have an account with the Regional Recycling South Return-It Depot at 839 Victoria Road in Nanaimo. You can donate the money from returnable items by asking the clerk to credit the Nanaimo Climate Action Hub account. Thanks in advance for your support. It makes a huge difference!

This newsletter is a publication of the Nanaimo Climate Action Hub. For more information, please click below:

We respectfully acknowledge that we live, work and play on the traditional territories of the Snuneymuxw, Stz'uminus and Snaw-Naw-As First Nations.